5 Key Points to Consider When Aiming for Bigger Successes in 2013

By Colin Wilson
Key Business Advisors Director

It’s now the fourth week of 2013 – is your business off to a flying start or are you still in holiday mode?

Sitting down late last year to review what worked well and what did not work well in 2012, then setting goals and planning the best strategies to achieve those goals could determine whether or not your business is set up for stronger growth in 2013. If you haven’t done so, then read on to get started on your way to bigger successes. If you’ve already reflected on what worked for your business last year, have you also considered and done the following?

1.  Plan for success, particularly the first half of 2013 to finish the 2012-2013 financial year on a high.
I cannot highlight enough how essential it is to set goals, particularly SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound) goals for your business. You need to have a clear plan for achieving each goal. When you’re aiming high, it’s also important to continually check on the progress of all areas of your business. The end of the financial year is a good time to see how you’re tracking when it comes to achieving the goals you set at the start of both the calendar year and the financial year so that you can adjust your strategy, if necessary.

2.  Avoid making rapid changes in your business.
Look back on the previous year and take note of the things that you did well and those that you didn’t do well. Obviously, you must continue with the activities and products that brought the best results, drop anything that did not bring you closer to achieving your goals, and make it a point to look for any opportunities you may have missed. If you decide that you absolutely must make rapid changes to reach your goals, then be cautious in implementing them so as not to upset your company’s direction nor affect your staff’s motivation.

3.  Run your plan by your company’s leaders and get them involved in the decision making process to ensure they support you.
If you’ve done well to surround yourself with smart people in your leadership team, then make the most of it and get their input. Chances are they’ll come up with more ways to achieve your business goals more quickly and easily.

4.  Ensure you explain the plan and all the positive things about it to your staff so that they understand and are 100% behind you in improving your business.
Quite simply, it is easier to reach your goals when everyone in your business is working to achieve them!

5.  Get help or advice from someone outside your business to help you with your decision to grow and hold you accountable to your goals.
Aside from holding you accountable to your goals, an independent advisor, coach or mentor can offer you a fresh perspective, give you unbiased feedback and tell you like it is in a way that no one else in your business might be comfortable doing.

So, how well have you planned for this year? What are your BHAG – Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals? We would love to help any way we can to take your business from good to great in 2013. Here’s to your success!